NHS boss pays tribute to thousands of health staff working over Christmas
NHS STAFF will welcome around 1,400 babies into the world on Christmas Day, according to the chief executive of NHS England, as he thanked doctors, nurses and other health workers for all their hard work.
Simon Stevens praised the contribution of staff, from porters to consultants and nursing leaders, who give up precious time with their families to look after the most vulnerable over the festive break.
In a filmed Christmas message, he also paid tribute to all those who work for the emergency services, who have demonstrated their bravery, dedication and skill during a “pressurised” year that has seen deadly terrorist attacks in London and Manchester and the Grenfell fire tragedy.
On Christmas Day alone an estimated 97,000 nurses and 53,000 nursing assistants will be working in hospitals, while 12,000 midwives are expected to welcome about 1,400 babies into the UK, he said.
About 12,000 ambulance staff, including paramedics, will be on duty along with approximately 176,000 care workers and home carers.
He said: “2017 in many ways has been a very pressurised time for the NHS and for you, our staff. Looking to 2018, the NHS is going to be celebrating its 70th anniversary. But as we do that we want to take a moment to say on behalf of everybody in this country a huge thank-you to all of you who are working over the holiday period.”